Looking Out for Lexy Read online

  (Eighteen years earlier)

  “Ahhh, Angel. Sweet angel, you’re drivin’ me outta my mind. I gotta have you. Please, Lexy, please. I need you, baby.” Eighteen year old Jack Wyatt was locked in a passionate embrace with Alex (Lexy)Latton as the moonlight flooded the shores of Lake Michigan where they stood, on a warm night in May. Their kisses were sizzling, getting hotter with each kiss. His tongue slipped inside her mouth as a small gasp escaped her lips.

  “Please, Lexy angel, you’re makin’ me crazy.” He managed to whisper several more seductive declarations between kisses. Kisses that were driving Lexy out of her mind.

  “Jack, Jack. I...I...you...you make me crazy too.” Breathless, Lexy was lost, confused by incredibly erotic feelings.

  "I want you so badly, Lexy angel, but what about...you know...Tom. He doesn't like this, you know."

  “Jack, You know it’s over between Tom and me. It was really over before you came. I love you. You make me feel like I’m important...and you are so gentle. You care about my feelings. He doesn’t really care about me either. We were together because I’m the popular cheerleader, all around good girl, and he’s the big football hero.” Lexy's voice was laced with disgust, a hint of sarcasm.

  “We were always expected to be together. I know he isn't happy because you and I are together now, but I don't care.” She looked up at him, loving those large, dark tormented eyes. “And what’s worse, I actually thought I was happy, until you came. The rebel without a cause. You know, like James Dean. You were all I could see from the moment that first day you walked, no...sauntered into the school. And, you liked me back. I could tell by the way you watched me all the time.”

  “You noticed, huh.” He buried his lips in her strawberry hair. “You won’t be sorry, angel, I promise. We’ll be together in college next fall. I have big plans and I know you do too. The two young lovers gazed at each other with the stars reflecting in their eyes. Jack continued, “I wanna be with you, Lexy, only you. I won’t hurt you, I promise.” His hands slid under her bulky cheerleading sweater, swiftly unhooking the lacy bra underneath. Lexy sighed as his lips continued to assault hers.

  Breaking the kiss, slowly and deliberately, he slipped her sweater and bra over her raised arms. He caught his breath as the moonlight reflected off her naked, alabaster skin, her bare, white breasts, two perfect orbs, waiting for his touch. Lexy lowered her arms, shielding herself, suddenly shy, abashed at her partial nakedness. Jack was the first boy to see this part of her body without clothes. Her innocence was pure, undefiled. The boy, good-looking with his dark shaggy hair and chestnut eyes, stared at her.

  “Oh, God, Lexy. You are so beautiful. So sexy. Sexy Lexy.” Quietly, he grasped her arms, placing them around his neck. His voice was awed, barely a whisper.

  “Don’t be afraid, angel. This is so right with you. With us.”

  "I'm not afraid with you, Jack. I..I'm just a little nervous, you know. I've never let anyone but you touch me." Her voice was barely a whisper.

  "Shhhh, it'll be okay, Lexy. I won't hurt you. I would never hurt you." This boy wanted to spend the rest of his life with only this girl.

  Jack filled his hands with her purity, burying his head between her breasts, kissing her soft, smooth skin. His mouth latched on to one nipple while his thumb gently caressed the other. Lexy clutched his shoulders, a low moan escaping her lips as she slipped deeper into the sensuous pleasure of his touch.

  He raised his head and began kissing her mouth, her face, her neck, returning to her chaste, but lush, lips, again and again. One hand was busy fondling her virgin breasts while clumsily trying to unzip the back of her short, pleated skirt with the other. His arms came around her, pulling them both down on the blanket beneath them.

  The boy laid her back, gazing at her, his brown eyes dark with desire. Without a word, the girl held her arms up to the boy, dazzling him with an unearthly beauty reflected in the pale moonlight. He was afraid if he blinked she wouldn’t be there. Like a real angel.

  “Lexy. Angel. Baby. You know how much I want you.” His voice was husky with passion.

  “I want you too, Jack. I love you.” She slid a hand tentatively over the bulge of his jeans, the other burrowing through his thick, velvety hair. He groaned and closed his eyes, momentarily.

  “I swear to you, Lexy, I’ve never felt about anyone the way I feel about you.” The handsome, dark haired boy opened his dusky eyes and gazed with unmasked adoration at the pretty teenager lying next to him. Her indigo eyes clashed with his. It was as if the stars above them had now exploded in their eyes.

  “Take me now, Jack. I want to feel you....feel you inside me.” She whispered as she tugged at his tee shirt, bringing him closer to her.

  “Lexy, Lexy, you have to be sure about this.”

  “I’m not afraid, Jack. It’s all right. I have never loved anyone before you. No one has ever made me feel this wonderful. I want you to touch me. Here.” Suddenly shy again, her gaze dropped, long, black lashes brushing her cheeks.

  Grabbing his tee shirt with shaking hands, he yanked it over his head. Leaning over, snatching his leather jacket, he fumbled in the pocket.

  “Damn. Angel, I don’t have a...”

  “It’s okay Jack. I don’t care.”

  “You have to be sure, baby.”

  “We’re going to be together, anyway.”

  “Come ‘mere.” The boy lay beside her, pulling her to him, his hand working her loosened skirt over her smooth, graceful thighs.

  Mouth to mouth, one hand was stroking and squeezing her breasts, while the other slipped into her panties. He discovered the nub that sent her over the brink of desire. The girl writhed in his arms, moaning, shaking, clutching his arms, her nails digging deep into his flesh. With a sob, she shuddered against his warm, naked chest, her breasts crushed against him.

  He released her. Lexy lay on her back gazing at him through glazed eyes. Panting. Waiting. Marveling at his beautiful body, Lexy felt this was right. She knew it was right.

  With unsteady hands he fumbled with his zipper. Hastily, Jack lowered his sweating body on hers. Lexy felt his hardness against her thighs. Her arms circled his neck as she pulled him to her. His mouth was rough against her well kissed lips. She was momentarily startled as his hard length began to enter her tight, moist core, slowly moving in and out. He moaned her name over and over as he drove deeper and deeper.

  His head snapped up abruptly as the sound of screeching cars filled the lot above them. Jack scrambled up hastily, cursing at the same time.

  “Get up, Lexy. Hurry. Hurry! We don’t have much time.” Jack swore as he whispered hoarsely, helping her dress quickly. He zipped up his jeans, quelling the raging lust within, quickly donning his tee shirt and jacket. The sound of footsteps, voices, coming down the steep embankment, echoed in the night.

  Jack cursed again under his breath. Geez. This was going to be bad. For both of them. He raked a hand through his unruly, dark hair, the other arm draped loosely around Lexy's neck.

  “Damn. I should brought the Harley down too. No one would have known we were here. We’re in trouble now, Lexy, baby, if it’s who I think it is. Don’t say anything. It’s me they’ll want.”

  “No, Jack. We’re in this together. I’m not ashamed to be seen with you.”

  "No, baby. Say nothing.” He grabbed her by the shoulders. “Say nothing!” Jack released her reluctantly, not ever wanting to leave the sheltered comfort he’d found in her arms.

  The voices were louder now. He was right. Within seconds they were surrounded by several other young boys. A tall, blonde boy stepped out from the rest.

  “Are you okay Lexy? This trash didn’t touch you, did he?” With a sneer, the powerfully built
youth glanced at the rumpled blanket beneath their feet. Lexy moved against Jack. She felt his body heat as she backed up against him.

  “Tom, I told you we were through. You and I- ”

  “Moose, take Alex to my car.”

  “Tom. Listen to me. You can't do this. Jack and I-”

  “Shut up, you.....Get her outta here.” He waved her away with a look of disgust, turning with a hostile stare toward the dark haired boy.

  A large, burly kid stepped out of the throng. Grabbing Lexy roughly by the arm, he dragged her away from Jack. Struggling, Lexy turned in great distress to catch a final glimpse of her young lover. Jack lunged toward her, but was thrown back immediately, surrounded by drunken, mean looking faces. He glanced up, a lazy, defiant smile, stealing slowly over his face.

  “Jackccc.....” His name escaped her lips in a scream. The big hulk of a boy picked her up and continued up the hill. Tears were streaming down Lexy's face as she caught a last glimpse of the boy she loved.

  Jack remained silent, hands shoved in his jacket pockets. He knew what was coming. At least Tom Kane had the decency to wait until she was gone. The dark haired teen watched as Lexy, the only girl he'd ever love, disappeared from his sight. The gang of boys moved in menacingly.

  Alone. He was alone again. Nothing mattered now. Devoid of emotion, the handsome, rugged youth knew he might not hold her again. He’d tasted love and caring. The inevitable loss of the warmth and tenderness he’d shared with her, shattered his heart. And hardened it-again. Jack withdrew his hands from the pockets of the leather jacket, clenching his fists. The street fighting he’d learned in the dark alleys of a New York ghetto would help, but the boy knew he couldn’t win. His last thoughts were of his fallen angel, Lexy, as the circle closed in on him.

  One

  (Present time)

  The two women hailed a taxi, jumping in as an early November snow swirled around them.

  "I’m not really too sure about this, Thea. He probably won’t even remember me. It’s been a long time since our senior year in high school. Oh, let’s forget it. I know he won’t remember me and I’ll be so embarrassed. I’m sure that he-"

  “Hold it, Lexy. How did you manage to get that all in, in one breath? Besides, he already knows we’re coming. I told him I was bringing you.” Thea Handel shook her head as she and her childhood friend, Alex Kane pulled up in front of the New York Plaza Hotel.

  Thea, a producer and sometimes director in the world of music videos, had invited her friend to stay with her in New York for a few days after Lexy's divorce. She had suggested that they attend a bash for one of the final two videos that Jack Wyatt and his band, Rebel Canyon, were taping before he retired to do what he had always wanted to do, live and work on a ranch in Napa Valley. According to the gossip rags, the rock icon was planning on raising horses, spending time flying his small engine plane, and building another ranch for boys from the streets.

  “What did he say about me when you told him I was coming?” Lexy looked rather eagerly at her friend.

  “He said it would be nice to see you again.” Thea shrugged her shoulders. “It’s been a long time. You were just kids the last time you saw each other. What did you expect, Lexy?”

  “Oh, I don’t know. Nothing, I suppose.” Lexy felt a lump forming in her chest. It was getting hard to breathe. What did she expect? That he would take her in his arms and tell her he’d never let her go again. Lord, what an imagination.

  Her thoughts traveled back to the one night in particular, when she'd sneaked away from the dance with him. Like it was yesterday, she saw him sitting on his Harley, black leather jacket and tight jeans, his guitar slung carelessly over his back, unruly, dark long hair hanging in his eyes. Eyes that had looked only at her. A night of passion that ended in disaster. Tom had found them together, along with several of his athlete buddies. Just as quickly and passionately as it had started, it was over.

  Jack had not gotten physically close to her again. But he'd observed her from a distance. She knew because every time he'd watched her after that, she'd been able to feel it. Lexy wanted to talk to him so many times, but didn’t dare. Tom would have made their lives miserable. They had spoke secretly several times on the phone. Jack was going to take off after graduation, so it looked like he was leaving for good. After a month or so, he would return for her, before they left for college. She didn’t know it, but he was going to ask her to elope first.

  Lexy never heard from him again. She assumed that Jack changed his mind and left immediately after graduation for Nashville to follow his dream of becoming a rock musician instead of being with her.

  Over the years as he had emerged as the lead singer of Rebel Canyon, Lexy had followed his career and social life. He was always linked with this model or that new rising young star, but never for very long. Jack had never married. She had married Tom late that summer right after high school, but Lexy never forgot Jack Wyatt. His music wouldn’t let Lexy forget him. And, now that she was divorced, with two children.....

  “Come on Lexy. It'll be all right. He's just a guy you knew once.” To herself she added, I’m probably not doing you any favors by bringing you here either. “I hope you won’t be disappointed. The party will be fun anyway.”

  “How could I be disappointed, Thea? I only hope he isn’t the one that’s disappointed.” Lexy tossed her glossy, shoulder length cherry colored hair. “It will be wonderful just to see him again.”

  Thea just nodded her head in resignation. There was no changing this woman’s mind, or opinion of Jack Wyatt. She doubted that seeing him after all these years would make a difference either. Lexy was still interested in him. Thea saw it in her eyes when ever his name was mentioned.

  Lexy's friend knew all about Jack Wyatt. He had quite a reputation with the ladies, especially the groupies that followed the band. She knew Lexy still saw him through rose colored glass. People always looked better that way. Unfortunately this time, Lexy would see him the way he really was, an arrogant, self appreciating male. It was what Thea was hoping would happen. Then Lexy could finally get past this crazy crush she still had on Jack Wyatt. He was not the same person Lexy had known in high school. Thea was the one who'd been there for Lexy during those anguished times after he'd finally left. Especially during her pregnancy.....

  Nevertheless, Lexy had never completely recovered from her infatuation for him. Lexy had believed Jack would come back for her. After a couple of months she'd finally accepted the fact he wasn’t coming back and married Tom Kane.

  The taxi screeched to a sudden halt, nearly flinging them into the front seat.

  “We’re here ladies, on time as promised. That’ll be nineteen bucks.”

  “Thanks a heap, Bud.” Thea yanked a twenty out of her purse, shoving it at him. Keep the change.” She smiled sweetly as they exited the cab. A few choice words filtered out of the taxi as it roared away.

  Thea grabbed Lexy's arm. “Come on, woman. It’s time to make the grand entrance.”

  Lexy Kane's mouth was still open as they entered the hotel. “Thea. How could you talk to the man like that?”

  “Easy kid. You can’t let these New York cabbies get the best of you or they won’t respect you. Believe me, trying to get a cab here isn’t for the fainthearted.”

  The mammoth room was brightly lit with glittering chandeliers. The bar room off to the side was the exception, the lights dimmed for atmosphere. Sounds of raucous laughter floated from the direction of the darkened interior. Lexy was scanning the crowd anxiously, her palms sweating, her heart palpitating so loudly she swore anyone close to her could hear it.

  She whispered to Thea. “Where is he? I don’t see him? He is here isn’t he?” Lexy’s mind was racing in every direction possible.

  "Let’s just go toward all the laughter, and the bar, of course. We’ll find him there, I have no doubt.” With Lexy in tow, Thea threaded her way through the crowd towards the sound of laughter and loud voices.

  Jack Wyatt was
at the bar, two young women hanging all over him. He bent to whisper something to each of them. Giggling ensued as they clutched him eagerly. Thea strolled in the dimly lit room with Lexy beside her.

  “Jack. What a surprise to find you at the bar. And with a woman yet.” Undisguised sarcasm laced Lexy’s best friend’s voice.

  Hearing her familiar voice, the tall, dark haired crooner turned around. His eyes narrowed, endeavoring to see the woman with Thea. Suddenly, there she was. He felt a wrenching in his gut. Lexy Latton Kane looked like she'd stepped out of the past right into the present. Damn! She looked good. Sexy Lexy.

  Jack Wyatt tried to forget that girl from his last year at that small Catholic high school in Wisconsin. All these years, and he still thought about her from time to time. He'd never managed to recapture the magic they'd experienced together, with anyone else. That night so many years ago, when she'd sweetly surrendered to him. Then, he hadn't ever really tried to love another.....

  Oh, hell. She didn’t waste anytime marrying Tom Kane shortly after he’d left. Later that summer, Jack had called her home to let her know he was coming back for her. Lexy's mother had been very cool to him when she'd answered the phone, informing him Lexy was marrying Tom the next month, and that she had told her mother personally, that if Jack Wyatt ever called, to tell him Lexy never wanted to see him again. Well, the shoe was on the other foot now.

  Thea moved forward, dragging Lexy behind her. Abruptly, the former lovers stood eye to eye. He stared into blue eyes that were the same as he remembered, yet not the same. Older? Wiser? Warier? All of those, but yet, there was something else. He couldn’t put his finger on just what it was. Jack wasn't sure of anything at this point in time except the fact that every moment they'd spent together came crashing back in his brain, like the waves on the shores of Lake Michigan. He wondered if she remembered. But no, she had married that jerk...and he had never married. At this very moment he knew why. There had never been another woman that had come close to Lexy Latton...Kane.

  “Jack, you remember Alex Latton, uh, Kane.”